I will go to the place where our fellowship meets this morning and on this last Sunday of Advent I want the time spent with others to reflect our worship together, an island of celebration of Christ Jesus in the midst of the "other" things we'll be doing.
Read this passage with me:
Luke 2:8-20 (NIV)
2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,
18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
When God comes to live among "us", he chooses ordinary hardworking farmers...the kind of people I worship with week in and week out...to show his presence to. As he did back then, he continues to show himself to people who are humble of heart, and willing to take a risk and "GO" to see what is happening...to "GO" to hear his word... to "GO" and then return...back home, back to life, back to the farm...but changed, glorifying, worshiping, telling others.
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